minister AgricultureEsteban Valenzuela referred to data provided by the Agricultural Research and Policy Office of Odepa. Regarding the rise and fall in prices of some foods.

Key increases detected during the week of October 23-27 of this year include: Lemon, green beans and lettuce.

On the other hand, among the declines, potatoes have started to record a slight decline since early spring, but this is due to an increase in the distribution of potatoes imported from Argentina and an increase in harvest volumes in the northern and central regions of the country. . Odepa.

Similarly, the harvest of short-day strawberries increases from October to November. This increase in production is reflected in an increase in commercial supply, which tends to lower prices to end consumers.

Prices of artichokes, avocados, green peppers, and whole chicken tortoro have also fallen.

The Central Valley Secretary of State was able to corroborate that “Peruvian sweet potatoes are priced at $1,500 and are included as a carbohydrate replacement, similar to Chilean sweet potatoes.”

“We are also checking and tracking whole chicken tortoro, which averages P2,700 per kilo. And as we have seen here, this is the moment when artichokes, asparagus, and beans also start to decline,” Valenzuela said. said.

Officials also hinted that “there was a time when the price of a single lettuce exceeded P1,000 due to the floods.” We were able to corroborate that in the plains itself, there is a large supply of lettuce for 1,000 pesos for 2 pieces. This is good seasonal news. ”

He also emphasized that “strawberries are arriving. We have confirmed this at Odepa as well. They are coming at affordable prices and in trays (…).”

“We saw how onions started to go up in price, now reaching $800 or even P1,000 per kilogram. And carrots are still cheap at $500 a kilogram, so how many of La Vega’s I saw it somewhere,” the minister said.

Rise and fall in food prices

Valenzuela noted that although potatoes have fallen by about 8%, they are still more expensive than at the same time last year.

Asked whether prices could fall further, the authorities said: “When prices rise, we always encourage farmers to plant. So in the next few weeks, the first potatoes will start to appear, and potatoes and eggs will… Both trends are slightly down, so we think there will be good news at the end of the year.”

Agriculture portfolio leaders also believe that potatoes could fall by more than 10%. “(…) Towards the end of the year, the price of potatoes should approach $1,300, which will ease the pockets of Chileans,” he asserted.

Explaining the increase, Valenzuela said: “We have to wait for the National Economic Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the unusual circumstances that we are investigating.” I know he is calling the actors (…), but let the prosecutor’s office do its job. ”